BACKMUIR WIN OVERALL INDIVIDUAL INTERBREED AT 2024 ROYAL HIGHLAND AFTER SECURING THIRD CONSECUTIVE SIMMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

• Super Simmental Saturday Sees The Breed Win Overall Individual, And Junior Interbreed Titles!

• Delfur Nifty Wins Junior Interbreed Championship, a first for the breed
• Backmuir win third consecutive Simmental Championship
• Corskie Namenco Takes Overall Reserve
• Simmental Places Overall Reserve in Interbreed Team of Four
• Delfur Nifty and Delfur Number1 Place Reserve in Interbreed Pairs
• Pitmudie Princeton Takes Reserve in Beefbreeder Interbreed
• Annick bred cattle win Both Male and Female Championships

Simmentals led the way at the 2024 Royal Highland Show with five Champion and Reserve awards secured in the Interbreeds from what was a terrific breed entry of animals in both strength and depth. On what will be remembered as a ‘super Simmental Saturday’ both the Overall Individual Interbreed, and also the Junior Interbreed awards were won in front of a packed ringside, on the third day of the show held between 20th – 23rd June.

Overall Individual Interbreed & Simmental Supreme Champion, Annick Ginger’s Lucia

It’s huge congratulations to Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, who secured the show’s blue riband Overall Individual Interbreed award with Annick Ginger’s Lucia, shown with her bull calf Backmuir Pompeii, sired by Backmuir Marksman. On the shows’ opening day, this 2020 born cow had successfully defended her Overall Simmental Championship in front of the judge Michael Durno of the noted Auchorachan herd, Glenlivet, Banffshire. In an incredible run at the Royal Highland for the Backmuir Herd, this win also secured a hat-trick of consecutive Simmental Championships initiated in 2022 by Islavale Lullaby, and remarkably where Annick Ginger’s Lucia was first ‘spotted’ when standing Overall Reserve.

Judging the Individual Interbreed was Mr Peter Watson, Banchory, Aberdeenshire and in tapping out Annick Ginger’s Lucia as his Champion, it marked the first time the Simmental breed had won this award since Robert Crawford with Tillylair Angela in 1995!

Individual Interbreed Championship Presentation

Pair of Simmental Aces!  The Individual Interbreed Champion Annick Ginger’s Lucia (right), and the Individual Junior Interbreed Champion, Delfur Nifty.

Annick Ginger’s Lucia bred by the late Lachlan Quarm, Holehouse Farm, By Irvine, Ayrshire, was bought at the Annick herd’s Dispersal Sale in September 2022 for 16,000gns. In a testament to the quality of this herd, the Male Champion at the 2024 was Annick Nazareth 22, exhibited by Jim & Elizabeth Dyet, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, and who was also purchased as a calf at foot at the aforementioned sale.

2024 Royal Highland Simmental Judge, Michael Durno

In the Simmental judging Annick Ginger’s Lucia had initially come through a high-powered class to nudge her stablemate Brandane Lu Lu, purchased for 18,000gns at the Next Gen II Sale in Carlisle in 2022, into second place before moving on to win the Female Championship, and then the Overall. Commenting on his Overall Simmental Supreme Championship the judge Michael Durno said: “My choice of Champion is just everything you look for in a show cow. She has size and scale, width, and with soft fleshing. With a great udder, she’s very flashy, has such a presence, and just displays all of the maternal attributes of the Simmental breed.” More generally Michael Durno went on to add: “It’s been a great honour to have judged what was a tremendous show of Simmentals throughout the classes, many of whom went on to meet with well-deserved Interbreed successes. I’d like to congratulate the Simmers in winning the prestigious Individual Interbreed award, and to say a big well done to all of the exhibitors. The Simmental breed is in very good shape and is clearly improving year on year.”

For the Simmers family the Individual Interbreed title added to what is a truly incredible Royal Highland Show record. In only four showings with Simmentals at Ingliston the Backmuir herd now has three Overall titles, and one Reserve! Commenting on winning the Individual Interbreed, and the Simmental Championship, Reece Simmers said: “The Royal Highland Show is the pinnacle of pedigree showing. To win the Individual Interbreed title of a show with some 180 years history, and to have the Backmuir name sit alongside some of the most recognised names in pedigree cattle history is quite humbling and just everything you dream of. We are personally over the moon and really delighted for the Simmental breed at the same time. There’s a tremendous standard across the show and within the Simmental classes which is just great to see.”

Of the Champion Reece went on to say: “Annick Ginger’s Lucia has just matured into herself, continued to improve, and we think has moved to another level this year. She’s a great example of a modern type of Simmental and an aspiration for us to breed and build on this type of quality. We’ve met with great success in recent years and a next challenge for us will be to try and have a further win at some point with a homebred animal. We’d also like just to acknowledge and recognise the ability of Lachlan Quarm and the achievement for him in having the breeding behind both the Overall, and Male Champion at this year’s show, it’s a great credit to the memory of him.” As things stand, the plans are that Annick Ginger’s Lucia will now head to Turriff and the Scottish Simmental National Show in August.

At last year’s show, Annick Ginger’s Lucia was shown with her heifer calf at foot Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P). Roll on twelve months and this September 2022 born heifer was shown in her own right and picked up the Reserve Junior Female award and also featured in the Reserve Interbreed Team of Four. With a show track record behind her, Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P), by Kilbride Farm Karl (P), won the Overall Senior Interbreed & Simmental Senior Champion awards at the 2023 Stars of the Future Calf Show.

Reserve Junior Female, Annick Lucia’s Nicosia

Described by many observers as perhaps the most successful Royal Highland Show the breed has enjoyed, the Simmental breed secured the following awards: The Overall Individual Interbreed; the Junior Interbreed; Reserve in the Interbreed Team of Four; Reserve in the Interbreed Pairs; and Reserve in the Beefbreeder Interbreed. A tremendous achievement by all of the exhibitors, and reflective of the quality and continuous improvement within the Simmental breed.

Corskie Namenco, Reserve Overall Supreme

The Simmental classes and Championships proved to be very much a ‘ladies day’ with a fantastic show of Simmental females throughout. Taking the Overall Reserve Supreme, and Reserve Overall Female Championship was the classy Corskie Namenco from another strong show team forward from WJ&J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. April 2022 born, Corskie Namenco by Kilbride Farm Haka and out of Corskie Framenco, had placed as the Reserve Junior Female at last year’s show. Of his Overall Reserve, the judge Michael Durno said: “This is a really long, complete, smooth fleshed Simmental. With a lovely head, and full of breed character, she’s just full of forward potential and is a tremendous heifer.”

Junior Interbreed Champion, and Simmental Junior Champion, Delfur Nifty

It was a stellar show for Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour, and herd manager Garry Patterson, who on the Thursday secured the Overall Simmental Junior award with their November 2022 born heifer, Delfur Nifty. Nifty is by Ballymoney Larry, a Saltire Impressive son, and is out of Delfur Joyful, an Islavale Cassius daughter. Come ‘super Simmental Saturday’ Delfur Nifty won the coveted Junior Interbreed title, a first for the Simmental breed, from the judge Robert McNee, Over Finlarg, Tealing, Dundee. Bagging a haul of show titles Delfur Nifty had partnered team mate Delfur Number1, who had himself stood second in his class to the Male Champion, to place Reserve in the Interbreed Pairs on Friday. Both of these animals also featured in the strong Simmental Team of Four alongside Annick Ginger’s Lucia and Annick Lucia’s Nicosia (P), and who picked up the Reserve Overall Interbreed Team. A little further icing on the cake saw Delfur Nifty, Delfur Number1, and Delfur Weigela N12 team up to win the Group of Three.

Winning Delfur Group of three

Having awarded the Junior Interbreed title to Delfur Nifty, the judge Robert McNee said: “This is a really smart young heifer. I liked her overall balance, correctness, and her evenness of flesh throughout, without being too extreme. She has all the makings of being a tremendous brood cow.”

Another with a show pedigree behind her, Delfur Nifty had previously won the Overall Pedigree Championship at LiveScot in November 2023, the Reserve Senior Female at Stars of the Future, and prior to that the Simmental Youngstock Championship at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Speaking afterwards, Delfur Herd Manager Garry Patterson said:  “It’s amazing to have a few days like this at such a prestigious show as the Royal Highland and with there being such a high level of competition.  It’s still very early days for me at Delfur so I feel very proud that we’ve managed to achieve so much this year.  This is only the second time Delfur have ever been to the Royal Highland with the previous occasion being 2005 and where I believe the herd may also have won the Simmental Male Championship and the Group of Three.”

With specific regard to Delfur Nifty Garry went on to say:  “Delfur Nifty was a stand-out calf from day one but for her now to win the Junior Individual Interbreed is quite special.  I hope that’s a benchmark and that we can go on to breed many more like her at Delfur.  With her featuring in the Reserve Interbreed Pair with Delfur Number1, and again in the Reserve Interbreed Team of Four, it all just added up to being a fantastic show and great experience.”  From here, there are  still a few shows this summer for Delfur Nifty to take aim at.

The Overall Male Champion, Annick Nazareth 22

In the bulls it was a fantastic win for Scottish Simmental Club Chairman Jim Dyet, and his wife Elizabeth, of the Merkland Herd, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire who won the Male Championship with Annick Nazareth 22. Purchased as a calf at foot for 7500gns (for the unit) at the Annick Dispersal Sale, Annick Nazareth 22 is out of Annick Fresias Kiki who herself was Female and Reserve Overall Champion at the Royal Highland in 2021. Commenting on his Male Champion, the judge Michael Durno said: “This is just a really good, smooth fleshed bull, and very correct on his legs. He’s a bull with no extremes but with a real carcase quality.”

A delighted, and a wee bit emotional, Jim Dyet firstly paid a fitting tribute to the breeder Lachlan Quarm and commented: “Lachlan was so good at turning out young cattle and this one along with the Champion, and this show, will be part of his legacy. I’m sure there will be a few further Annick bred cattle to be seen in the show ring in years to come. We took Annick Nazareth to the Scottish National Show at Dumfries last year and where he achieved the Reserve Junior Male. He’s been out once this year at a local show where Wee John (9) showed him in the Young Handlers and that’s how good a temperament this boy has. We’ve only shown a few times at the Highland and go as much for the fun and enjoyment of meeting great people and seeing great cattle. To win the Male Championship at the Highland is by far the highlight of our showing career and it really doesn’t get much better than this!”

Reserve Male Champion, and Junior Male Champion, Corskie Puma 23 (P)

Winning the Reserve Male Championship and also the Junior Male Championship was another from the Corskie team in the shape of Corksie Puma 23 (P). This January born bull, with length, width, and shape, is by Rathnashan Kellogg’s (ET) (P) EX94, and is out of Corskie Kit, an Auchorachan Farmer daughter. This was Corskie Puma’s first show outing, and he will enjoy the summer show season before being aimed at the Stirling October Bull Sale.

Reserve Junior Male Champion, Backmuir Pegasus

The Reserve Junior Bull came from the same class in the form of Backmuir Pegasus 23, and again from the Backmuir team of Reece & Andrew Simmers. January 2023 born, this calf by Atlow Dixon and out of the 18,000gns Brandane Lu Lu, had previously stood Junior Male Champion at the 2023 Stars of the Future Calf Show.

Pitmudie Princeton, Overall Reserve in the Beefbreeder Interbreed

Keeping the Simmental Interbreed successes going, the young April 2023 bull Pitmudie Princeton from Heather Duff, Pitmudie Farm By Brechin placed Overall Reserve in the Beefbreeder Interbreed held on Friday morning. April 2023 born, Pitmudie Princeton is by Hiltonstown Irish 17, and is out of Pitmudie Babe, who has produced a number of good bulls for the herd. Combining performance figures with phenotype for this Interbreed, Pitmudie Princeton was described as: “A muscly type of bull with good growth, Princeton is very clean, with good lines, and has plenty of breed character.” Immediate plans ahead will see Pitmudie Princeton aimed at a few further summer shows in the season.

It was a truly memorable five-star 2024 Royal Highland Show for the Simmental breed. It’s a huge congratulations to the Simmers for their tremendous success, and to all of the Interbreed winners and Simmental exhibitors across the board for putting on a fantastic promotion of the qualities of the British Simmental breed.

Overall Champions Presentation with Annick Ginger’s Lucia, and Corskie Namenco

Male Champion Annick Nazareth 22, and Reserve Male Corskie Puma 23 (P)

Junior Champion Delfur Nify, and Junior Reserve Annick Lucia’s Nicosia

Junior Male Champions Corskie Puma 23 (P), and Reserve, Backmuir Pegasus

Reserve Interbreed Pair, Delfur Nifty & Delfur Number1

Reserve Interbreed Team Champions

Interbreed Pairs Reserve Champions Delfur Nifty & Delfur Number1 with Iain Millar (judge), on the right.

Royal Highland Show
Thursday 20th June 2024
Simmental Judge: Mr Michael Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindaloch

Results

Class 263 Female, born on or after 1st April 2023
1st J H & V G Wood Popes Trixies Pearl
2nd Heather Duff Pitmudie Primrose
3rd W J & J Green Corskie Private Eyes
4th The Burns Family Islavale Peaches

Popes Trixies Pearl

Class 264 Female, Born between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st J H & V G Wood Popes Trixies Prudence
2nd Heather Duff Pitmudie Pandora
3rd W J & J Green Corskie P-Enna
4th Croft Livestock Clonagh Regal Fortune

Popes Trixies Prudence

Class 265 Female, born on or between 1st July and 31st December 2022
1st Delfur Farms Delfur Nifty
2nd R & A Simmers Annick Lucia’s Nicosia
3rd Delfur Farms Delfur Weigela N12
4th Laura Green Garmouth Fame’s Nicole

Class 266 Female, born on or between 1st January and 30th June 2022
1st W J & J Green Corskie Namenco
2nd J H & V G Wood Popes Princess Noor
3rd R & A Simmers Backmuir Eva’s Neva
4th J & E Dyet Merkland Tooty 3rd

Corskie Miley

Class 267 Female, calved before 3 years or due to calve before 3 years old, in milk or in calf born in 2021
1st W J & J Green Corskie Miley
2nd J & P Goldie Newbiemains My Girl

Class 268 Female, Born in 2019 or 2020 in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st R & A Simmers Annick Ginger’s Lucia
2nd R & A Simmers Brandane Lu Lu
3rd Gavin Brown Islavale Liquorice

Newbiemains Icandy

Class 269 Female, born on or after 31st December 2018, in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st J & P Goldie Newbiemains Icandy
2nd 2910 W J & J Green Corskie Jasmine

Female Champion
Annick Ginger’s Lucia R & A Simmers

Reserve Female Champion
Corskie Namenco W J & J Green

Junior Female Champion
Delfur Nifty Delfur Farms

Reserve Junior Female Champion
Annick Lucia’s Nicosia R & A Simmers

Strathisla Pentagon

Class 270 Bull born on or after 1st April 2023
1st Strathisla Farms Strathisla Pentagon
2nd W J & J Green Corskie Power
3rd Heather Duff Pitmudie Princeton
4th Gerald Smith Drumsleed Paddy

Class 271 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st W J & J Green Corskie Puma
2nd R & A Simmers Backmuir Pegasus
3rd J H & V G Wood Popes Power
4th Heather Duff Pitmudie Pitcairn

Class 272 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2022
1st J & E Dyet Annick Nazareth
2nd Delfur Farms Delfur Number1
3rd R & A Simmers Backmuir Nightrider

Male Champion
Annick Nazareth J & E Dyet

Reserve Male
Corskie Puma 23 (P) WJ&J Green

Champion Junior Male
Corskie Puma 23 (P) W J & J Green

Reserve Junior Male
Backmuir Pegasus R & A Simmers

Overall Supreme Champion
Annick Ginger’s Lucia R & A Simmers

Reserve Overall Champion
Corskie Namenco W J & J Green

Group of Three Delfur Farms